#i will happily reject every pedestal no thank you!

[ophernelia]

one thing i ask of you guys is to never call yourself a fan of mine. you're not a fan, you just enjoy lykaia. (and i love that lol) also i am no sort of entity to be a fan of. i just write a story and share it. a creative, sure, but not a creator in that sense. and i don't want that to sound like i don't appreciate the support because i do! just understand we're on equal footing. we've got a shared interest, that's all!

[ask-them-bois]

Blood of My Blood

TW: Needles, lots of blood, animal death and gore.

TLDR: Vornik gets his happy ending.

***

Vornik sat in the small hive of the village medic, twisting his claws around the hem of his cloak as said medic bustled about in front of him.

“Alright, guardian, after this one, I think we’ll be able to stop these sessions. Blood transfusions are a nasty business as it is, and for someone like you… well, they can be borderline dangerous.” She turned around, a bag of jade-hued ichor and its attached needle in hand. “Necessary as they may be, after you nearly lost your arm, but still- we should be careful all the same.” She added.

“Jade?” Vornik asked quietly, surprised, “Don’t I usually get olive, since it’s the closest-”

“Mhm. Unfortunately, Mr. Andrin- the fellow who usually donates the blood- broke a wrist last week when he was working on his hive’s roof. Fell off, shattered a horn on the way- nasty business.”

“Oh.”

“This time, the blood’s been donated from a passer-through. Heard we had a wriggler in need of some, and when we told her about our dear guardian, she happily offered some of her own.”

“I’m not a wriggler.” Vornik mumbled as the healer took his arm and began to rub an ointment on the juncture of his elbow. “I’m eight sweeps old.”

The elderly bronzeblood smiled and pat his shoulder. “I know, dear, but you’re a wriggler to me, guardian of our village or not.”

Vornik made no comment, turning his head away as the needle punctured his skin. The healer hung the bag on a hook above his head, and pat his shoulder again.

“Just sit tight, dear.” She hummed, before she turned away.

Vornik did as he was told, watching the emerald blood slide down the tube and into his arm. Even through the thin plastic casing, he could smell the coppery scent of blood. He suddenly sat up slightly, frowning, and took another sniff of the air.

There was something off about the blood, he thought; it smelled… strange, yet familiar at the same time.

“Are you sure this blood is clean?” He asked, squinting at the bag.

“Mhm! I checked the jadeblood for any abnormalities.”

“And?”

“And there was only one, but the jade assured me it was normal for her caste. I had to take her word for it, I’m not an expert on jades.”

Vornik nodded slowly and tried to relax, but his gaze kept drifting back to the bag.

Two hours later, the bag was drained, and the needle was pulled from his skin. The healer tenderly wrapped his elbow in gauze, then passed him a caramel candy.

“These are your favorites, yes?”

Vornik happily took it, nodding as he popped the sweet into his mouth with a mumbled, “Thank you.”

“Anytime, dear. Go on, now- best get home before the sun rises.”

Vornik bid the healer goodbye and slipped out of her hive. He made his way through the village, sucking on the candy. The night was cloudy, only a handful of stars visible through the mounting cloud cover.

Vornik made it to the edge of the village without being stopped, for which he was grateful; as much as he loved the villagers, he felt nauseated and tired, as he often did after transfusions.

After his mountain came down, his arm had been nearly shorn from his body. The muscle had been severely damaged, and the bone cracked. The giant scar he bore now was a giant callous of pinched skin, where his flesh had mended over the lost muscle. After the heavy loss of blood that accompanied the wound, Vornik had been made to undergo blood transfusions to aid in the healing process.

The first bags had been from Innocent, his ancestor’s generosity boundless. But after giving too much at once, the healer had shooed Innocent away so he could recover, and had gotten the blood from other greenbloods in the village. Olive was the closest match, and Vornik’s body had been receptive of it, so every two weeks, Vornik had found himself back in the healer’s hive to receive another dose.

Now, with jade in his veins, he just hoped his body wouldn’t reject the ichor. He’d been healing well- physically, at least- and it didn’t hurt to lift his arm anymore.

Even so…

Alphadad leaped to his feet at the sight of him as he reached the edge of the village, six ears standing alert and three noses nuzzling against his torso.

“I’m okay, alpha. I’m all done, let’s go home.” Vornik smiled softly, petting each howl-beast muzzle in turn. He clambered onto the giant beast’s back, and Alphadad turned, bounding for their mountain.

Vornik shut his eyes and turned his face into the wind as they galloped past his old home, trying to ignore the wrenching of his blood-pumper.

By the time they reached the mountain, the horizon was growing light. Vornik quickly dismounted and hurried inside, with Alphadad just behind him. His pace didn’t slow until he stepped out onto the ledge, and saw his hidden forest spread out below him.

Tension unraveled from his shoulders as he descended the slope, entering the blue-shining trees. The sound of birdsong and insect chirps wreathed around him, buzzing in his ears pleasantly. A stag was drinking from the pool when he passed; it paused and raised its head, but Vornik paid it no mind; the creatures in his mountain were comfortable with his presence now, and he with theirs. He’d forbid his howl-beast brethren from harming any of them, unable to stomach the thought of the near-mystical creatures being harmed.

Ascending the slop on the far side, he entered his den.

Since moving into it some perigrees ago, it had slowly become more and more like his old den; like home.

He had a new pile of furs and blankets and pillows to sleep in, only now they were cradled in a half-egg-shaped frame, to keep them from getting dirty. Barrels of water stood against one wall; back then, he’d set the barrels out on the cliff during storms to gather rain water, but now he just dragged them to the pool when they were emptied.

Above them, with the help of Innocent, Vornik had mounted some shelves into the stone. Utensils, food, tools, knickknacks, paint cans and brushes- all neatly organized on said shelves.

He’d dug himself a proper fire pit, where the embers of the early evening’s flame still smoldered.

At the back of the den, next to his bed and on a small pedestal, was the painted stone from his original home, surrounded by pretty crystals and shells.

Finally, there were the walls; he no longer had miles of mountain tunnels to paint, but he did have blank slates, and luminescent paint. In the flickering light of the embers, glowing howl-beasts and antler-beasts and faceless trolls danced among swirling designs and stars.

Vornik tossed a log and a few sticks onto the embers, coaxing them back into a warm flame. He glanced at the provisions waiting him on the shelf, but he still felt queasy after his treatment. He retreated to his bed, carefully removing his cloak and laying it aside before he curled up among the furs and pillows. Alphadad settled at the mouth of the cave, keeping watch on the trees.

It was as Vornik buried his nose in a howl-beast pelt, already half asleep, that he distantly realized why the jade blood had smelled familiar.

By morning, he’d forgotten. As soon as he was conscious that he was awake, his stomach was gripped with pain. He sat up with a bark of surprise, clutching his torso. Alphadad grunted, concerned, two heads rising to look at their charge.

Vornik panted, his eyes wide with alarm; he’d never felt this hungry, even after going without meals in winter, when food was scarce. He was dizzy, his mouth flooded with drool as he caught sight of the food waiting on the shelves. He scrambled out of his bed and lunged across the cave.

He ripped a loaf of bread from the shelf, barely pausing to unwrap the wax paper as he devoured bite after bite.

Halfway through the loaf, he dropped it, stumbled to the mouth of his den, and emptied his stomach of bread. He moaned in pain, eyes rolling back as he was gripped with more hunger pangs.

Stumbling back to the shelves, he pulled everything down, sniffing them for proof of rot or mold, but it all seemed fine. As his nose passed over a bundle of dried meat, he thought he might pass out again as a new wave of dizziness and drool washed over him.

He didn’t hesitate, ripping the twine off and shoving the meat into his mouth. He threw back his head and groaned in delight; that was what he needed, it seemed, and in what felt like moments, the meat was gone. He tore through the rest of his food, looking for more.

Raw beef slid down his throat next, followed by grilled chicken and smoked fish. Sniffing around desperately, he realized he was out of meat; only fruits and vegetables and bread remained, and his gastric-sack did unpleasant flips at their smell.

“More… alpha, I need- I need more!” He whimpered, turning to look at his lusus. Alphadad didn’t hesitate, leaping to his feet and bounding out of the mountain.

Vornik groaned again, dragging himself to the water barrels. He dunked his head in one, fears be damned, gulping down water in an attempt to stifle the hunger. He pulled his head back out, hair spraying water everywhere, and stood, clutching the edges.

He panted, staring down at his warped reflection; what was wrong with him? He’d never reacted this way to blood before- it was the only reason he could come up with for the sudden hunger. Maybe he *had* rejected the jade blood, and his body was trying to purge it.

He should see the healer, he decided. He spun about to fetch his cloak, stumbled over his own feet, and collapsed.

He groaned, stars exploding behind his eyes; he felt too weak, his temples and stomach pulsing in harmonious pain. It seemed to be moving, too, the pain rolling down each limb until it reached his fingers and toes, making them twitch. Even his horns felt electrified; he reached up to touched one, and cried out as a jolt shot through him.

He dropped his head, pressing his cheek to the cold stone. He tried to focus on breathing, shudders wracking his body as he dug his claws into the floor. There was a whine in his ears, distant and shrill like a broken radio.

He wasn’t sure how long he laid there; he was going in and out of consciousness. But when he managed to lift his head again, it was in response to the sound of a body hitting the ground.

Blinking blearily, he found his lusus standing before him, a dead antler-beast on the ground at his paws, blood oozing sluggishly from a tear in its throat.

The coppery tang hit the back of Vornik’s throat, and he was moving before he was even aware of doing so. With his claws, he rend open the carcass, and was tearing out flesh.

He ate like a frenzied beast, blood coating his hands and mouth as he devoured flesh and muscle and organs. His knees became sticky and hot as the blood pooled around the rip in the belly. He was snarling, snorting, and panting, like his howl-beast siblings did when they devoured meals. He paused to lick away the blood that ran down his arm, before gouging out the liver and tearing into it.

He didn’t stop until he physically could eat no more; the carcass was in shambles, nearly half of it now in Vornik’s stomach. Finally sated, he slumped over to stare at the deer’s head, reaching up with bloody fingers to pet its ear.

“I’m sorry. Thank you for sustaining me.” He rasped, throat thick with blood; it was something he said at every kill, before he and his siblings ate. It was the closest he ever came to prayer- yet this time, all civility and grace he usually held during the meal had vanished until he was quenched.

Vornik laid for a while, eyes closed and breathing deep; sanity seemed to have come back to him, as did a warm strength that filled out his limbs and chest.

He felt… good. Content. Suddenly exhausted, he passed out right there on the ground.

It went on like that for several nights. He’d wake, eat, drink, and pass back out, to be consumed by fitful sleep and nightmares. He’d toss and turn, wake with a jolt, and devour more meat. Alphadad doted on him diligently, bringing fresh kills nearly every night. The cave was filled with carrion and bones, but Vornik didn’t have the strength to remove them.

Then all at once, he felt like he’d woken up; he was clear headed, able to breathe fully. He had the strength to get up and make his way to the pool, where he drank and cleaned the blood that caked his face and claws.

He sat back, looking up at the giant crystals that hung from the ceiling; through the cracks in the stone, he could see purple and green-tinged light; the moons were out and full. He didn’t feel sick anymore. Didn’t feel thirsty or hungry. His skin itched, but other than that, he felt fine.

Looking back down, he jumped in surprise as he caught sight of his reflection. Leaning over the surface, his eyebrows shot up; was the really him? He looked… bad. Haunted.

His eyes were empty, shadowed below by dark circles. His mouth was set in a grimace, the scar over his eye vivid. That wasn’t him, he thought; that was the shell of a troll he’d become. That wasn’t who he wanted to be.

He reached up with shaky claws and ran a finger down the mark. The smell of sea salt, blood, and a flash of fuchsia filled his mind for a moment, before he shook his head and dropped his hand. When he looked back at his reflection, he saw his eyes were glowing. He frowned; they only ever did that when he used his powers, why were they-

Agony tore through him once more, rocketing up his spine and bursting into his thinkpan like a firework. He screamed, the sound echoing through the chasm and causing birds to take flight.

He clutched his head, falling forward, into the shallows as he writhed. The ground shook, and Alphadad was at his side, barking and whining in alarm.

Vornik couldn’t breathe; his body was refusing to listen to him, pain buzzing down into his teeth. He snapped his jaws in the air, clawing at his mouth. His eyes suddenly shot open.

“Out!” He shouted, “I need out! Outside! Alpha!”

Alphadad didn’t argue. He shoved his muzzle under Vornik’s body, and the boy grabbed on, clambering over his lusus’ center head to clutch at his scruff as the monster hounded for the exit. Pressed flat against his lusus’ neck, the roof of the tunnel scraped against Vornik’s back and made him wail.

They burst out onto the mountainside, and Alphadad bound down to the forest, where he lowered himself to the ground. Vornik slid from his back and hit the dirt, pain pulsing through his very veins.

Everything was overwhelming; the forest was quiet, yet he could hear every insect chirp, every rustle of the leaves and the footfalls of deer. The smells of the woods, once pleasant, were rancid in his lungs, until he was heaving, trying to cough them back out. The moonlight stung his eyes, the wind slicing at his skin like knives.

From among the trees, he heard the near silent padding of his fellow howl-beast’s approach. A dozen of them appeared, sniffing the air as concerned grunts and growls rolled in their throats.

“What’s- happening- to me?” Vornik croaked, staring at his siblings pleadingly. They paused, turning to snuffle at one another. A knowing look seemed to dawn on all of them at the same time, and they suddenly retreated- all but one of them.

Vornik recognized her; he knew nearly every howl-beast in the mountains. This particular one was a she-wolf with red fur; Vornik had named her Russet, and had pup-sat for several of her litters when she went hunting.

Russet stepped forward, brushing her nose along his jaw comfortingly, before she stepped back, only to lunge forward and slam her head into him.

Vornik fell back with a yelp, pain skirting up his back like electricity. “Russet-?!” He gasped.

She leaped back, bowing in a play stance.

“No, Russet, I don’t-”

She barked, knocking into him again. She turned and vanished into the trees, before she came back and barked again, her tail wagging.

Run!

The word exploded in his head, a painful energy surging through him like a wave. He scrambled to his feet, looking around wildly.

Run!

He took off.

Vornik wasn’t sure if it was terror or excitement that made him move, but he was suddenly tearing through the trees, his lusus and packmate at his sides. Other howl-beasts bled from between the trees to join them in their race.

Vornik didn’t know where they were going, but he was a man consumed; run, his body told him, the pain fading to a background feeling. Run. Run!

He vaulted over a log, lost his footing, fell, and leaped back up, racing on.

They burst out of the woods and onto the plains, where a heard of mega-fauna antler-beasts were grazing. The beasts startled, bellowed, and wheeled about to flee. Vornik bellowed right back, and his vision went red.

He screeched to a stop, throwing back his head as his muscles seized.

He screamed, screamed, screamed- and his skin rent open as he was transformed.

He fell forward, his body shaking and jerking from side to side as he convulsed. He thrashed his head, snarling, his claws digging into the dirt. His lusus and howl-beast siblings watched, silently circling around him to wait.

The base of his spine burned in a white hot, needling pain. His every fang pulsed and throbbed, his eyes squeezed shut as his thinkpan scattered to the wind.

His jaw was stretching, his bones snapping and reforming, his fangs growing as he snarled at the moons. His form doubled, tripled in size, new muscles and flesh rippling into being across his limbs.

His hair turned white from the roots, as bright white fur burst into being along the rest of his body. He heaved with a great shudder, and his spine elongated into a tail with a flourish. His ears grew longer, the tips sharper, as he tossed his head. His hands and feet became broad and thick, his fingers and toes into heavy, sharp claws.

His clothes were suddenly too constricting as his chest broadened, expanded, and he tore them off with a snarl.

With a final burst of pain, he threw back his head and screamed, only for it to change into a roaring howl, before he collapsed.

Vornik lay in the moonlight, heaving for breath as he tried to figure out what just happened. Terror and pain faded away until they were barely echoes. He whimpered, peeling open his eyes and sitting up slowly to look down at himself.

He… He was a howl-beast.

Or partially one, at least. A monster, caught between troll and howl-beast. He reached up, patting his head, and was relieved to feel his horns still remained. He stood on wobbly feet and twisted about, looking at himself. He was huge! He must have been nearly seven feet tall, at least! He was covered in thick white fur that made him look even bigger, and he had a tail! He focused, and managed to make it wag a little. He looked down his arm, and saw his scar still remained, but it was mostly covered by his fur.

Dropping back down, he finally looked up at his family. Alphadad was regarding him, with only warmth and pride in all his eyes.

“Alpha?” Vornik tried to say, but it didn’t come out in his voice. His body spoke for him, his ears pressing back and head cocking to the side.

“Little Omega.” His lusus responded warmly, all six ears pricking up and middle head tossing back and forth as his tail wagged.

“I’m… a howl-beast.” Vornik’s tail thumped and he bowed his head.

“Always been a howl-beast.” His lusus leaned down and nuzzled each muzzle against Vornik’s head. “Only now you look like one.” He chuffed affectionately, nipping Vornik’s ear gently.

Vornik nuzzled his nose along one jaw, before he looked at his siblings. Each one of them had their ears pressed back, tails tucked, and were respectfully looking away from him. Vornik whined at them, assuring them it was okay.

“What do I do now?” He whimpered, his own ears falling flat and tail tucking half-way between his legs.

Alphadad pulled away to regard him. “What do you want to do?” He asked, all three heads cocking to the right at the same time.

In response, Vornik’s stomach gave a mighty rumble, and he heard amused chuffs from his siblings.

“Hunt.” Vornik bared his teeth, his muzzle wrinkling and eyes beginning to glow as energy surged through him.

Alphadad stamped his feet, tail high as he barked with excitement. “Then we hunt!” He snarled, tossing a heads.

Vornik slammed his claws against the ground as a sudden, ferocious elation- borderline bloodthirst- filled his chest. He threw back his head and let out another roaring howl that echoed through the mountains.

Above him, the sky lights burst to life, as if called by his song. Greens and blues and pinks and yellows snaked across the sky, stretching across the canvas of midnight and stars. The other howl-beasts reacted, throwing back their heads to howl, too.

“Ancestors! The ancestors join us!” Jawbreaker- a male with black fur- howled.

Vornik couldn’t sit still another moment; he thought if he did, he might explode. He shot off across the plains, reveling in his new power; he had questions, lots of them, but for the moment he let them go, all but throwing himself, willingly, into the nature he’d denied himself the past sweep.

He could feel his blood-pumper beating against his ribs like a caged animal. He felt every ripple of his muscles as they bunched and released as he thundered forward, his claws tearing into the grass.

Every sense was heightened, but it was no longer painful; he could hear his brothers, his sisters, and his father racing along behind him, but none of them seemed able to keep up with his speed. He could smell the earthy musk of his prey, somewhere ahead in the hills, so strongly that he could taste it on his tongue. His vision was sharpened, so much so that every blade of grass was distinct, even as he ran by.

With a leap full of lupine grace, his form changed again.

He nearly lost his footing in surprise, but managed to stay upright as his body morphed, painlessly and seamlessly, into a full-blown howl-beast body. He wanted to stop and check it out, but to pause meant he had to stop running. He could still feel his horns atop his head. Adrenaline was pouring through him, churning through his veins until he could barely contain it. He threw back his head and howled again, and heard the answering cry from his pack.

The mountains came alive as the other packs responded, too, reveling in the glee their brother had found once more. Vornik crested a hill and finally slowed as he spotted the prey up ahead. His flanks heaved as he fought for breath, his head was spinning with hunger and euphoria, and drool dripped from his jaw. His muscles ached from the sudden growth and use, but it was dull. Satisfying.

Finally, he thought, his tail wagging behind him as he eyed the herd.

Finally, he was himself again.

He was Vornik again.

[synnefo-nefeli]

I really love the scene in Heard Your Heart Beating when Apollo and Klavier sleep after drinking and Apollo wakes up at some point and looks at Klavier and thinks about him and Daryan and Kristoph. Idk I really like the vibe of it and also Apollo is really fond of him and you can see it lol

This is for the DVD Commentary Author Ask if there is a scene from any of my works you’d like to see a DVD commentary on, send me an ask!

Yesss this one of my favorite scenes so far in HYHB.

So there are two things going on in this scene- one is a payoff moment when Apollo figures out the significance of Valentine's Day is to Klavier, and the other is the emergence of the theme of " Safety". This chapter also functions as a transition point from Klavier and Apollo moving from work colleagues into a closer friendship. There is still a giddy nervousness at the beginning of this chapter that is usually associated with moving to the next step.

I wanted to express that almost frenetic nervous energy when inviting a new friend/date/etc into your personal space for the first time. And Apollo, despite him stating repeatedly that the hangout is platonic/feeling guilty about appearing to move on from Clay /trying to keep that boundary that’s existed so far between them, allows that boundary to fall.

By the end of the chapter there is now a comfort and deeper trust between them so that their relationship can continue to develope organically over the next few chapters without Apollo being constantly flustered every time Klavier teases him or there still being awkward feelings between them. They’re still in the “getting to know you” phase of their friendship but they’re at the point where coffee breaks and after work drinks no longer suffice. They now want to hang out as much as possible.

More under the cut so I don't spoil people for this chapter

Before I get back into the Safety theme I want to reiterate the meaning of the story’s title. It comes from Florence + The Machine’s song, “Cosmic Love”. The lyric goes:

“ I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too-So I stayed in the darkness with you”

This lyric aside from Comic Love being a big mood inspiration for the story, this lyric refers to Klavier and Apollo finding eachother after going through a really shitty and traumatic year and a half.

They recognize that the other is a source of some comfort as each of them understand what the other is going through a little bit better than the others around them.

This scene is the first confirmation to the reader that yes, Klavier is actively seeking out Apollo for comfort.

So far in this story we know *something* is bothering Klavier- he’s actively avoiding someone and he’s been kinda timid in reaching out to people without having his glimmerous persona constantly on. In the following chapter, Klavier mentions that he’s been asked to be in Edgeworth’s wedding.

Apollo attempts to commiserate with Klavier about this as Phoenix has just asked Apollo to be his best man.

Klavier tells Apollo that Apollo shouldn’t be shocked about being asked to be Phoenix’s best man- considering how much Apollo means to Phoenix. He has to point out to Apollo how much Apollo means to Phoenix and Trucy as well as how Apollo impacted Klavier’s choice to return to the legal world full-time.

And while Klavier is honored that he’s been asked by Edgeworth, his being asked is more of a surprise than Apollo being included in the Wright-Edgeworth nuptials. There is no way that Apollo wouldn’t be included after all he’s done for Phoenix and Trucy and how close he is to the WAA. Klavier had a different dynamic with Edgeworth. Part of this because, well, it’s Edgeworth. But Edgeworth has formed close bonds with Gumshoe and Kay...but Edgeworth just spent the last few years chasing down a Phantom Criminal in order to save Simon from Death Row. So Miles and Simon had a closer dynamic.

Klavier unfortunately comes with a lot of baggage-most of it being from things beyond his control. It was his debut that resulted in Miles’ partner from being disbarred and disgraced. There is everything with Kristoph. Combine the canon stuff along with this story establishing that the Gavins and the von Karmas have a bit of a family feud going on, it’s no wonder why Klavier admits to feeling that he’s still needs to figure out if and where he belongs.

He’s always looked up to Phoenix and Miles and wants to spend his career under them, but he thinks he needs more chances to prove himself to rebuild trust.

Of course- the obvious signal Klavier is missing, is “Hi, the Chief Prosecutor has asked you to be in his wedding party. If the grooms didn’t like you, you wouldn’t have been invited let alone asked to be IN THEIR WEDDING PARTY” ...and he misses it right after he’s finished telling Apollo, “how could youthink you’d wouldn’t be included, Herr Forehead. Jeeze.”

Like I said- Klavier is shit at taking his own advice. I’m not being mean to Klavier, but because Klavier is anxious about trusting people and letting people in, he prefers to do things on his own terms and under his control just in case he needs to get out if he gets rejected.

And even though he reached out to Apollo first with his condolences for Clay’s death he didn’t expect anything more than a thank you note, but Apollo not only acknowledging him, hunting him down to his apartment and even offering his company to Klavier, was a happy surprise to someone who has been very lonely.

He’s been wanting to get to know Apollo but he’s felt awkward due to the fallout with Kristoph and the continuing dark age of the law of which he was apart of the two major catalysts.

Apollo over the last few weeks is appearing to be a safe space for Klavier.

However Klavier wants more confirmation and a chance to suss things out (re: Kristoph). So when Apollo says he doesn’t have plans and was oblivious about Valentine’s, Klavier pounces on it. He spent Valentine’s alone the previous year and it spiraled his depression so he was not in the mood to again this year.

This scene was meant to be that very comfortable state between two people with a budding friendship. Once you get drunk with someone while having deep conversations, it tends to push you more into the friendship category.

It was also important to get some of the serious topics out rather than dragging it out. Having this quiet evening is something they both needed, and it allowed them be vulnerable. Especially since Apollo was already upset from the phone conversation he had with the Terrans earlier in the chapter.

Apollo needed a night in with the only person who has never treated him with kid gloves, even before Clay’s death. And Klavier needed a night in with the only person who has never put him on a pedestal.

When discussing Kristoph, it was important to remind the reader that Kristoph is a human being- it’s what makes him a compelling villain and why his betrayal of both Apollo and Klavier’s trust strikes an emotional chord with the player. Before the events of AA4, there was a time where Kristoph gained Apollo and Klavier’s love and loyalty, where he was a normal boss, a dog-dad, a good older brother. There were good times and happy memories- which is why when Kristoph is exposed, Apollo and Klavier are disillusioned- Klavier moreso. But another reason as to why Klavier finds Apollo to be a safe haven, is because, Apollo knew the Kristoph Klavier loved. They both wanted Kristoph to be proud of them. They respected him and wanted Kristoph to be proud of and acknowledge them.

Klavier has been wanting to talk to Apollo about this for awhile and I believe so has Apollo. Apollo is never going to say to Phoenix, “hey Mr. Wright, Mr. Gavin was a good mentor to me too-“ it wouldn’t go over well, even though Kristoph was a good mentor to Apollo-his only flaw was thinking that Apollo would happily be a lickspittle and easy to manipulate. So when Apollo gives Klavier that reassurance that Klavier can talk about those happier moments of his life involving Kristoph, Klavier sees that Apollo wants to take that awkward stress away from Klavier but also Apollo wants to get to know Klavier better.

Klavier is so used to people researching his celebrity persona and forming opinions based off of his former lifestyle, that it’s refreshing to find someone who wants to organically grow their relationship without preconceptions.

Yes, Apollo initially wrote Klavier off as being a fop and glimmorous- but those thoughts were due to Apollo being self-conscious. By the end of Turnabout Serenade, Apollo admits that Klavier is pretty cool and in DD, Apollo remarks that Klavier is different than most prosecutors and how dedicated Klavier is towards his job.

It was also important in this chapter to allow for Apollo to discuss Clay and his relationship with Clay’s family. You’ll notice in this story that Klavier is the only person Apollo will share anecdotes about Clay with and freely grieve about Clay. It’s not that Apollo hides it from The WAA, he does share some things with them, but right now, Klavier is the only close peer Apollo has, and this comfortable vulnerability they’ve trusted eachother with allows Apollo to express himself with out him fearing that he’ll appear fragile. He’s tired of people walking on eggshells around him, but Klavier hasn’t and never will.

Likewise, I made sure to have Klavier fish for information about Apollo. Yes they’ve been hanging out for weeks at this point and worked a case together (sorta), but those coffee dates have been more talking about work, general topics like Trucy’s shows, etc.. they’ve been light in topic. So dinner and drinks at someone’s home gives way to deeper conversations about value-systems, love lives (even though Apollo isn’t entirely truthful lol), etc. And it works really well to the point they get more comfortable than either had anticipated.

I loved writing the discussion about how Klavier will never ever do a performance of “The Guitar’s Serenade” where he’s singing Lamiror’s words. It was such an organic moment while writing too- Klavier just started talking about how he’s feel like an imposter to sing those words because he’s never experienced a lost true love...and he hopes that he’ll never know what that feels like. It’s an honest moment that puts to rest any assumptions Apollo may have had about if Klavier is just a flirt not to be taken seriously in the romance department.

Hearing that Klavier is pretty private in his love life, isn’t a player, and has pretty much admitted that he tries to date with the intention of marriage, shows Apollo more into Klavier’s serious and introspective side. A side that Apollo’s only known in the context of their work. It makes Apollo realize that Klavier is human and is wanting of things like love and companionship. More importantly, Klavier will take those things seriously should he be so lucky to receive them.

There is also a bit of humor here- because c’mon Klavier lives to be playful when he can, and he wants to know more about Apollo’s views on love and relationships. Apollo is adorably flustered because he doesn’t want to admit he’s still a virgin. But in this portion I wanted to start laying down the idea that Apollo is demisexual. Part of the reason he hasn’t fallen in love or felt desire is because he’s fullfilled by his relationships with those he holds dear, but also no one has been interested in Apollo and stayed long enough to bond with Apollo in a way for desire to to bloom.

Because they’re starting as friends-particularly a friendship made as adults- this is going to give Apollo that chance to realize he wants more from Klavier. And for Klavier who wants a true friend and companion after the betrayals he’s suffered, Apollo is a perfect match for him.

The most important thing for me while writing this scene was to show Apollo and the reader that Klavier is suffering and grieving just like Apollo is, (and to establish early that Klavier is super bad at taking any of his own advice) and for Apollo to start drawing parallels to himself while wanting to dig into what’s going on with Klavier.

Apollo is interesting because he’s more likely to say what’s exactly bothering him but fails to realize his feelings about others.

Whereas Klavier is very aware of his own feelings but will hide what’s bothering him from others.

They’re also two people who now need reassurance about where they fit in and how others consider them in their lives.

And if you were wondering: yes, at this point Klavier does have a crush on Apollo haha. So getting invited to sleep over was a bonus for him...despite it being labeled as a “platonic sleep-over”, because at this point in the story, it is a platonic sleep over. Klavier is good at reading the room (even when drunk) to know that Apollo isn’t making a move on him and neither should he.

The comment Klavier makes about Apollo’s bed’s size is a homage to my favorite BL manga, FAKE. In the manga, Ryo who has just started as a detective at a new precinct and met his new partner, Dee- has Dee over that same day for dinner and Dee winds up staying the night. Ryo has a large bed for a single guy (according to Dee) and Dee makes a comment “that’s a big bed you got there, do you have a girl to go with it?” because Dee the little shit that he is, is trying to see if Ryo is single (and yes, they sleep in the same bed that night. How is that fir team building haha...it’s totally platonic. It takes Dee 7 volumes to get that. Please read it it’s a classic). Klavier is totally asking to get a rise out of Apollo because Klavier suspects that Apollo exaggerated his experience because Apollo’s pivot was not smooth at all XD.

Finally the last aspect of showing safety is them sleeping in the same bed together. We know from descriptions of Klavier that Klavier has not been sleeping well. Something is keeping him up at night and his mood has been less glimmerous. When he arrives at Apollo’s that evening; he wasn’t able to really conceal the dark circles under his eyes. Apollo has been missing Clay, who would usually sleep over and share the bed with Apollo,’s company.

Sleeping next to someone, especially falling into a deep sleep in a bed that is not your own, is a sign of trust. Yes they were sleepy from the alcohol, but they went to bed together easily, slept for hours, had brunch, and went BACK to sleep. Neither minded, nor did Klavier feel that he should leave after they ate. They are comfortable and too hungover to even think about anything except getting more sleep XD Also it’s not as if Klavier is in a hurry to get home when he eventually saw the text from his land lady.

Sorry if that was a rambling response but I have a lot of love for this scene in particularly and I’m so excited to give a behind the scenes look at it!

[youarejesting]

Half the school

Rating: Teen and Up Genre: Mystery, Romance, Drama, Action, Angst, Paranormal. Pairing: ? x Reader Summary: In Bightville there is never any nonsense, the scariest thing one might face is tripping at the roller-disco. But, when you move to the small town, crazy things start to happen. Suddenly people are going missing without any leads. It’s when your neighbor Seokjin goes missing that things get serious because now his friends suspect you! Words: 1.1k

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Seokjin grinned walking through the school, he felt great, it was always such a boost of confidence to know he was handsome. This didn’t mean he was a jerk about it though, taking his time and effort to treat others just as he wished to be treated. Stopping to pick up a paper that a young girl had dropped and caught a rogue soccer ball heading towards an unsuspecting young man. 

It was hard being handsome, at least for Seokjin people often steered clear of him because of — and this was a direct quote —  he was out of their league.��

So could you see how growing up would be tough, not having friends to invite to a birthday party, or having people use you for popularity? Living on a pedestal got rather lonely, that was the case until the day he met his best friends. 

Together with the six of them he knew he would have plenty of light hearted shenanigans for years to come. Each had known eachother since middle school and now as Juniors all around sixteen, they were starting to wonder about life outside of the school. Namely things like jobs, Yoongi had scored a job at the local Roller-Discotheque called Dynamite. Where he controlled the music and sat around mostly, until it was time to clean up. 

Yoongi getting a job sparked a chain of events for the rest of the group. Hoseok joined Yoongi at the roller rink where he would sit in the little canteen where people could buy cans of pop and snacks throughout the night. And he would skate around and dance when he was free.

Jimin got a job at the diner, he wore skates and would fly about the store with all the grace of a figure skater. Technically the skates were for the female wait staff but he put them on and moved around so happily, that no one had the heart to tell him. Namjoon worked the till at the diner, keeping numbers was what he did best. He would seat guests and give menus but he didn’t do much else as he was a nervous young man when it came to jobs that required precision or delicate hands. 

Taehyung and Jungkook worked at the Arcade, the two were always playing around the newest game ‘Space Invaders'. A game that Jungkook proudly had the number one place in with his alter ego ‘Kookie’. 

As for Seokjin, he worked at the drive-in movie, it was a nice job plus he got to watch the movies too which was nice. The only downside is someone spread the word that he had recently been employed and thus his nights were packed with movie goer’s trying to ask for his number. Seokjin had to leave every job he ever worked because when the student body found out where he worked the girls flocked. 

The most disturbing nightmares for Seokjiin involved the blinding flash of a polaroid. Shivering at the thought Seokjin stopped in front of his locker and prepared for the worst. Once the metal door swung open with the tiny squeak of its hinges a letter fell to his feet.

‘Another letter.’ He thought, stooping to pick it up. ‘Surely these girls have better things to do, by now half the school has sent me a love letter’

Reading through the letter he sighed, it was sweet the girl had declared her love and admiration for him but sadly she didn’t wish to be with him. Only wanted him to know how she felt and that she wished him all the happiness in the world. This was definitely one of the nicer and more thoughtful letters he had received.

Danice was a beautiful young lady, very gentle, and had no negative bone in her body. She would babysit around the neighborhood and would house sit whenever someone needed pets or plants taken care of while they were away. Her main concerns were not with boys but with school work and family and Honest Seokjin Admired her for that, perhaps if he were interested in dating he would consider Danice first.

He placed his things away and squared his shoulders, taking a few deep breaths and trying to calm his red ears. He was a gentleman and he always read each letter and would personally respond when he had the chance. 

Today marked a special occasion as Danice had sent him this letter meant that every single young lady in his year had asked him out, what a momentous feat. He stepped over to the lovely young ladies' locker. Danice was talking to her best friend Anne and he tried to calm his racing heart. He always got nervous rejecting the girls.

He lent against the lockers and gave a soft smile. “Good morning Danice, how are you, this fine morning?” He watched her jump and turn to him a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Oh, Jin, very good thank you?” She gave him a cheeky grin. “How is your little darling boys” 

Seokjin remembered she had looked after the family pets while he and his family went away last September.

“They are well thank you for asking” He really did enjoy Danice’s company, she didn’t particularly care about the whole dating scene. “I wanted to talk in private if that is okay with you?”

“Sure, Anne I can meet you outside class yeah?” Her best friend eyed her curiously, and he thought Anne wasn’t bad either, she had also stressed she wasn’t expecting anything when she had confessed.

“I um, read your letter and I deeply appreciate the admiration you hold for me, I am not at this point looking for someone to date but am always in need of a friend” He grinned 

“That’s perfectly alright, I don’t think I wish to date yet either, I do wish to genuinely be friends with you, I just didn’t want the intentions to ever be misunderstood. Perhaps I will see you around Dynamite some time.I am not a good skater but I enjoy the music, oh and Jin.”

“Yes?” He asked, looking at her soft smile she was truly such a nice girl, it was in her name after all. ‘Da-nice, haha Jin you crack yourself up.’ Biting his lip to keep from laughing.

“Thank you for being so polite and talking with me” She smiled “You really are a nice guy, I know it must be tiring to respond to so many letters and confessions”

“I will be at Dynamite tonight with the boys if you want to talk more. I am happy to have a friend like you Danice.” Seokjin gave her a small hug patting the top of her head before pulling back and walking to class.

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[angelaiswriting]

Lovestruck | Finn Shelby x reader

[original picture]

✏️ Pairing: Finn Shelby x fem!reader

✏️ Summary: Finn has a crush on the new barmaid at the Garrison. Michael pushes him to confess his feelings. (Requested by Anonymous)

✏️ A/N: this is one of the fics I’m most proud of, tbh. I hope I captured the shyness of Finn’s youth. Many thanks to @sweetvengeancee​ for beta-reading and pushing though my idiotic mistakes HAHA As always, to be added to the tag list and/or to submit requests, hit me up somehow 💛

✏️ Warnings: fluff, young people in love being awkward, that’s all :)

✏️ Word-count: 2,953

Ever since the day Finn had turned eighteen, she had always been there, behind the counter of the Garrison, serving customers and helping Harry.

He hadn’t known her name, back then, she had just been a pretty face in a sea of manly chaos, her smile shining as bright as the sun. She had brought drinks and booze to his table – on the house, she had said – and had wished him a happy birthday when Isaiah had let the news slip. She had gasped, lightly, and that happy birthday, Mr Shelby still brought a smile to his lips when he thought of it – when he thought of her.

After that first chilly March Friday, he hadn’t missed a night at the bar. He had spent hours sitting there – at the counter, at a table, it didn’t matter –, watching her work. She served each patron with a sweet smile and an even sweeter greeting, her eyes always twinkling happily and her blouses always light in colour, always clean. She stood out like a sore thumb, like a bottle of water among the various rums and whiskeys and gins on the shelves behind her.

No matter what, she always had a nice word to spare for him, too. When the day was gloomy and his mood under the soles of his boots, when he felt a second-class Shelby or simply when things didn’t seem to go as planned no matter what, she was there and somehow, she always managed to bring a smile to his face.

Tonight was no exception. He was sitting in his family’s private room, shielded away from the din of the bar as though he were in a box of cotton, and he was sulking. It should have been a nice night out had it not been for Michael and Isaiah being late because of business. He had been given a couple of days off since he had ended up with a bump on his head in the gym on Wednesday and ever since then, he had been so looking forward to going out for a drink – or ten – with the two guys he considered his closest friends.

But as he sat there, alone, absentmindedly staring out of the small window that gave on the bar – absentmindedly staring at her –, he couldn’t help but think that maybe he should, indeed, have his fucking drinks, even without them. He had drunk alone plenty of times, so why should today be a problem?

“Mr Shelby?”

Y/N was at the door before he could make his mind up and call her. And while he had spent countless days nurturing the crush he had developed for her, tending at it like one waters a flower, with that same innocence of the late adolescence and early adulthood, he had never… He had never gone to her. He had courted her – awkwardly and clumsily – but it had always been from a distance.

“Yes?”

He wasn’t Michael, nor Isaiah, nor any of his brothers. He had never walked up to a girl he liked, had never had his way with women, had never even touched one. His innocence bubbled up when Y/N was around and not even all the blood covering his hands was able to help, for he always cowered away, turned his head to the other side.

“Would you like a drink? You’ve been sitting here with the door open for a while, now, and I was wondering if you…” She was blabbering, her hands fidgeting with each other, probably wondering if interrupting his contemplative silence had been a good idea. “If you would like a drink.”

Finn blushed when he met her gaze. He hadn’t expected for her to be staring right at him, for she, too, always averted her gaze when he was around, a shy smile always poking at her lips.

He nodded.

“Whiskey?”

Whiskey sounded as good a drink as any, but tonight felt particularly blue and he wanted to try something new. Something stronger. Something that could hopefully turn into liquid courage by the end of the night, when he would finally ask Y/N out. “Rum,” he answered, shaking his head at her question. “Bring two glasses.”

He had made up his mind. The thought had been playing around in his head for a while now, bugging him more than he would ever admit – and probably more than his lifestyle should have allowed. He was going to ask her out and if he had some luck, she was going to accept the offer.

But when she came back, two tumblers in a hand and a full bottle of rum in the other, his resolution withered. He looked at her and what he saw was something he couldn’t have. This wasn’t Esme, born and raised among gipsies, doing the same kind of shit he and his brothers had grown up courting. This was a girl from a respectable family, someone that had definitely studied more than him, for she could read and write, someone that went to church every Sunday morning and that had never deviated from the law.

The dull thud of the glasses being put down on the table distracted him from his thoughts and he focused his gaze just in time to see her pour liquor in one of the glasses.

“Should I close the door while you wait for your guest, Mr Shelby?” Her voice was as sweet as ever, even if more tired, strained by the hard time tonight’s clients were giving her.

His brows furrowed for a moment before he truly understood what she was saying. “Close the door and sit with me.”

She looked taken aback for a moment, the surprise flashing across her features and showing how young she still was. He had heard her birthday fell in May of his same year, but the innocence of the life she led shone brighter than his dwindling one.

A flash of regret crossed his mind when he poured rum in the empty glass and when she came back and sat on the chair opposite him, he apologized. “Stop calling me ‘Mr Shelby’. I’m Finn, just Finn,” he added, stretching his hand out to properly introduce himself.

She smiled and when she did, pearly white teeth peeked from behind her chapped lips.

Her hand in his was soft and warm, the calluses on her palms nothing compared to the ones that had hardened his skin from long days spent fighting in the ring or holding guns. It was an almost reassuring feeling – she wasn’t that out of his league, after all, or so he liked to hope at that moment.

“Drink with me.” It was probably the alcohol he had drunk as she closed the door that gave him the courage to ask her that.

For a moment, he wished to be more like John – he had never had problems with women. He went up to them and if they were foolish enough to turn him down, he went on with his day like nothing was. But Y/N was probably the prettiest girl he had ever seen – prettier than the rich women he had seen in London, prettier than the gipsy girls he had had the chance to see at the Lees’ camp. She was something else entirely and this was probably what scared him: he had put her on such a high pedestal that if she decided he wasn’t enough, he wasn’t sure he’d be like his brother when faced with rejection.

“I should…” She turned to look at Harry for a moment through the still-open window before she turned her attention back to Finn. “I have tables to clean and people to serve, Finn. I need this job, I can’t afford to be fired.” The conflict was clear in her voice and in the way she fumbled with her fingers.

“I’m a Shelby, we own this place.” He never liked to use his position and influence when she was around, but his courage was already dwindling and he really needed to catch the chance with both hands before he lost it for good. “Your job is safe. Have a drink with me.”

She sighed, eyeing the glass he had pushed in her direction.

“Until Michael and Isaiah arrive?” he added, his voice rising into a question by the end of the sentence, his lips stretching in a hopeful smile.

She nodded and he managed to get a glimpse of her smile before she hid it behind the glass. “Are we drinking to something?” she asked, leaning better against the seatback and looking at him expectantly.

“To being brave,” he blurted out before he could stop himself, his courage riding red.

They had just put the empty glasses back down on the table when the door opened and his cousin and friend stumbled into the private room. They were laughing and even Isaiah was pushing through the black eye someone had gifted him during the day. Then, when the newcomers took in the presence of the girl, they stopped in their tracks, taken by surprise.

“Are we interrupting something?” Michael had a shit-eating grin almost cutting his face in half as his gaze danced between Finn and the young and pretty barmaid sitting closer to the lovestruck boy than he’d ever thought he would see.

Finn’s crush on Y/N was no secret in house Shelby. It wasn’t because he couldn’t stop talking about her – as a matter of fact, he never even pronounced her name – but rather, it was impossible not to read his thoughts when he saw her. The way he smiled, with that shining spark making his eyes seem more alive than ever, and the way he stammered when he talked to her, his words constantly fighting with each other to come out in a haste, afraid they’d never be left free otherwise.

Y/N was expectantly staring at him when he finally convinced himself he was not going to die if he met her gaze again.

“No,” he sighed. “We were just waiting for your arrival.”

And with that and a sweet smile, the pretty barmaid was out of the room.

*

Finn avoided the Garrison for a week. Before March, it wouldn’t have felt this peculiar, but ever since his eighteenth birthday, this absence felt like an insurmountable mountain.

On the eighth day, though, he was dragged down to the pub for a meeting. Walking through those glass doors had felt like the liberation from the invisible weight that had slowed him down during the previous week. He inhaled deeply – the burning stench of low-quality cigarettes and cigars stinging his throat – and smiled in contentment and relief when he looked over at the counter and she was there.

She had pulled her hair up and away from her face and her neck was now exposed. Even from that distance, he could see the lights of the bar glimmering over the fine golden thread of the chain she always wore around her neck. She was towelling freshly-washed glasses and chatting with Harry, enjoying the much-needed break now that the flux of people had died down a little.

There was something so peculiarly hers that always drew him one step closer than the day before and it was something he couldn’t explain. It was the foggy excitement of his first crush, one that made his heart beat faster and the palms of his hands sweat at the idea of talking to her. The innocent shyness that always overcame him in her presence was what often got him taunted by his brothers and while he cared about it at home, he somehow didn’t at the Garrison.

“If you don’t go and talk to her,” Michael’s breath tickled his skin as he whispered in his ear, “I will.”

*

He knew his cousin would follow through with his threat. And while he knew Michael would never do anything to go against him, Finn feared what the man could tell her – feelings he jealously harboured, shielded away from his lovestruck younger cousin? or feelings Finn kept hidden away in the recesses of his soul, waiting for a divine sign before he finally confessed on his own?

Focusing on the meeting had been exhausting, but he had managed. He had listened to what Tommy had to say – an update about the alliance with Solomons and his bakers down in Camden Town – and had agreed on helping out with the bets at the top of his abilities.

Then, as the family swarmed out of the room and joined the rest of the patrons in the pub, he found himself weighed down by the prospect of having to talk to Y/N. If she had to hear of his feelings from someone, that someone had to be him. He didn’t want to pass as a ball-less fool in front of the girl he had fallen to his knees for. He didn’t want to risk passing as less of a man as he was, afraid to man up and spill the truth.

But he couldn’t do it, not with his brothers watching him like hawks, not with Michael waiting for the right occasion to step in and steal his spotlight. And so he stood there, at the counter, awkwardly, and ordered a drink – he needed some more of that liquid courage that had allowed him to ask her to stay, eight days ago.

His cheeks were still burning from when she had greeted him with a happy hello, Finn! when she sat a glass of whiskey in the space between his hands.

“I haven’t seen you in awhile. Everything alright with the business?” she asked, cleaning the counter with a rag before emptying the ashtrays in the bin.

This was his great chance. The chance to show his stupid brothers – and his very clever aunt Polly, of course – that he wasn’t a kid anymore, that he could take his balls in his hands and act like the man he was destined to be. Possibly, that he could take the Shelby name a step forward and start his own branch on the family tree. But as he looked at her, all he felt was young and foolish and desperately in love with a girl he was trying to convince himself he couldn’t have.

She slowed his brain and stopped his breathing for painful seconds and as he stood there, smiling like an idiot, with fire burning underneath the skin of his cheeks, masking his freckles, nothing had ever felt more right.

“I’ve been… thinking,” he answered. “About… About stuff.” He nursed his glass between slightly trembling fingers before he swallowed the lump in his throat and sipped on the burning Irish.

“‘About stuff’?”

Her chuckle tugged at his smile, making it wider and brighter, and he watched as she fixed a customer a beer – the way her hand wrapped around the lever of the beer tap, the way she politely smiled at the man a few steps to his right, and the way that same smile turned more lively when she came back to him.

“What kind of stuff? If I may ask.”

He had her complete attention as she stood there in front of him, elbows resting on the previously-cleaned counter. She was looking up at him and there was a slight pout to her lips and right there, on the bow of her upper lip, he noticed a tiny freckle.

The shrug in his shoulders was an automatic response as he downed the rest of his drink before setting the tumbler down beside him.

“You,” he confessed eventually. It was now or never and he knew – he just did – that ‘never’ would have never been a good-enough and acceptable answer.

She chuckled and straightened her back, her gaze suddenly avoiding his as his cheeks burned in both embarrassment and fear. “Me? What about me?”

“I was thinking,” he started, humming low in his throat as he leaned over the counter just like she had done a minute ago, and he brushed his thumb against the back of her left hand. On his right, sitting at a table, he could feel Michael’s hawk-like stare piercing through him, waiting to assist to his victory – or downfall. “I was thinking, I could ask her out, take her to the pictures one of these days,” he said. “I’ve also been wondering, what kind of flowers does she like? and who knows if she’s ever gone on a horse ride?”

Unable to look up at her, he heard her hold her breath before it trembled when she released it.

“Well…” She cleared her voice and when he finally met her gaze, he found her already staring at him, smiling brightly down at him. “I would love to go both to the pictures and on a ride with you.”

“You would?” His heart was beating more furiously than it ever had at the mere thought of confessing the same things he had just told her.

She nodded. “I like daisies,” she added, turning her hand in his and entwining their fingers.

“Tomorrow?”

She glanced at Harry, chatting away at the other end of the counter and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought.

“I told you, I’m a Shelby. I can give you the day off.”

Her amused snort ringed in his ears and tugged on some unspecified cords in his heart as his eyes and lips glossed over with the honey-like caress of his first love.

“Tomorrow sound like a plan.”

Wow, I looove writing for Finn! Hopefully you enjoyed this, too.

TAGS (to be added to or to be removed from any list, shoot me an ask)

Everything: @idhrenniel @saibh29 @fuckthatfeeling @aya-fay @pebblesz892  @mblaqgi​

Peaky Blinders: @whimsylavender​ @thethyri​ @princesscouchpotato

People that might be interested: @sweetvengeancee @kind-wolf @flowers-in-your-hayr